getting started? (decoys)

E

Eddie Byrd

New member
im just wondering if some of you guys can inform me of the best , most basic must have tools for getting started carving decoys.. im kinda old school even tho im only 30 so im not interested in power carving. i like building things with hand tools.. i seem to get more satisfaction that way. also i live in west tennessee and cant find a place to buy blocks of wood to use. i could use some sources if there are any known good ones close. thanks , and looking forward to learning the art.
 
I use only a few tools outside the bandsaw and drill press, a good knife and strop and a couple of gouges and some sandpaper and your good to go.
 
Yeah they all say that at the beginning. After a saw shows up and a drill press, quality tools pile up, paint brush collection, decoy books, paint etc.... They might sing a different song.

All you really need to make a gunner is a quality knife, draw knife, a good rasp and time. As suggested give willy a call and talk with him. Check out his site theduckblind.com
 
Hi Eddie

Welcome to Duckboats.net

If you haven't already, head over to the decoyshed.org and watch Pat Gregory's suggestions (under the In The Shop tab) on how to get started. As Tom has said you can create a terrific decoy with just a few hand tools, and Willy's site offers many of those tools as well as cut-outs to get you started.

If you have access to a Bandsaw check your local area for saw mills, lumber yards or old building salvage yards, I've found some great framing lumber that is clear, dry, and large enough to make Duck bodies (just be sure to check for nails before you cut).

I'd also seriously consider taking Dennis Hays on his offer (Dennis is a super nice guy and knows a bit about good decoys).

Most of all just have fun.

Tim
 
A good vise and T-bracket, to hold the decoy, and I also use a smaller vise for the decoy head. I still have nice scar from a 1 inch chisel in my right palm, from holding a BWT that I was hollowing - 29 years ago.

A very sharp carving knife that fits your hand, a draw knife, lots of pencils, a Sur Form rasp, a few rifflers, and sandpaper (rolled around a magazine), band-aids, and your in business.

I'm Old School as well, after the bandsaw it's all by hand. Time Well Spent.

Good Luck, and welcome aboard. You will get all the help you need from the folks here.

You already have the most important tools - Enthusiasm, and the Desire to make your own Decoys.
 
Yeah they all say that at the beginning. After a saw shows up and a drill press, quality tools pile up, paint brush collection, decoy books, paint etc.... They might sing a different song.
Click to expand...

I took a different route. Grinder was a Christmas present. Bandsaw I collected gift certificates for Christmas and birthday gifts from anyone looking to buy me something. ( dust collector almost here on her dime too). The only big tool I bought was the drill press. Otherwise, many have been from her. So...no complaints on what I have. Took longer, but I built a good collection of tools as "gifts"
 
i think i got lucky Mr. Modin. We been together almost 12 years now and shes been supportive of almost everything i do. I make duck and turkey calls and airbrush some and recently got into boat building and she buys me most all my tools.. heck shes even bought me most of the decoys and stuff i use for duck hunting for christmas and b days. The only expensive duck calls i have also came from her lol. And i appreciate all you guys advice.
 


This is most of what I use for making a cork decoy, including the saw horse to support the body when rasping. The round surform rasp (good luck finding one, buy two if you do) and the round file also do 80% of my heads, when installed on a block of wood and clamped in a vise. That Dexter paring knife I've found to be an awesome knife for rough carving the body if you keep it well stropped.

The hardest part is taking the plunge and starting.

Try to find somebody in your area to give you a lesson....makes a world of difference. Wil in this picture below never made one before two weeks and now he is turning into a carving maniac already after I showed him what to do.

 
i appreciate all the help fellas... ive started my search for the basic hand tools and im gonna buy me some gouges too. i thorougly enjoy doing things by hand without the use of power so im really looking forward to this adventure.
 
Eddie~

I'm sure there are lots of good sources others on this site can tell you about. I have a set of small gouges, parting tools, paring tools that I got from Warren Cutlery (www.warrencutlery.com). I use them for the finer details: rollout, primary groups, bill details.

Happy shopping!

SJS
 
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